Phosphorus benefits from grain-legume crops to subsequent maize grown on acid soils of southern Cameroon

We conducted field experiments over 2 years on two acid soils of southern Cameroon to test whether efficient uptake and use of phosphorus (P) from less available sources by grain legume genotypes could benefit subsequent rotational maize. We grew two crops each year. For the first crop we grew 4 genotypes of soybean and of cowpea, plus maize. For the second crop we grew maize. The first crops were fertilized with 0, 90 kg P ha⁻¹ as phosphate rock (PR) or 30 kg P ha⁻¹ as triple super phosphate (TSP). P application highly significantly increased shoot dry matter, P uptake, N₂ fixation and grain yields of the grain legumes with TSP generally more effective than PR. Two of the soybean and two of the cowpea genotypes were more efficient at using P. Only the P-efficient soybean and cowpea genotypes increased subsequent maize yields. Yields of the subsequent maize grown in rotation were significantly correlated with shoot P uptake for which the quantity of P applied with the crop residues of the pre-crop appeared to be a major factor. We also grew the grain legumes in nutrient solutions and measured organic acid-anion exudation from roots, root-surface phosphatase-activity, and root morphological characteristics. Enhanced exudation of organic acid anions from roots of P-deprived plants might have contributed to the P acquisition efficiency under field conditions of the P-efficient cowpea genotypes and one of the P-efficient soybean genotypes. A higher activity of root-surface acid phosphatase might have been important for the other P-efficient soybean genotype. The results show, that the potential positive rotational effect of cowpea and soybean on the acid, highly P-sorbing soils of southern Cameroon depends on breeding and using P-efficient genotypes when sparingly soluble and suboptimal rates of soluble P fertilizers are used. Section Editor: N. J. Barrow     

Yield gaps, nutrient use efficiencies and response to fertilisers by maize across heterogeneous smallholder farms of western Kenya

The need to promote fertiliser use by African smallholder farmers to counteract the current decline in per capita food production is widely recognised. But soil heterogeneity results in variable responses of crops to fertilisers within single farms. We used existing databases on maize production under farmer (F-M) and researcher management (R-M) to analyse the effect of soil heterogeneity on the different components of nutrient use efficiency by maize growing on smallholder farms in western Kenya: nutrient availability, capture and conversion efficiencies and crop biomass partitioning. Subsequently, we used the simple model QUEFTS to calculate nutrient recovery efficiencies from the R-M plots and to calculate attainable yields with and without fertilisers based on measured soil properties across heterogeneous farms. The yield gap of maize between F-M and R-M varied from 0.5 to 3 t grain ha^?1 season^?1 across field types and localities. Poor fields under R-M yielded better than F-M, even without fertilisers. Such differences, of up to 1.1 t ha^?1 greater yields under R-M conditions are attributable to improved agronomic management and germplasm. The relative response of maize to N–P–K fertilisers tended to decrease with increasing soil quality (soil C and extractable P), from a maximum of 4.4-fold to ?0.5-fold relative to the control. Soil heterogeneity affected resource use efficiencies mainly through effects on the efficiency of resource capture. Apparent recovery efficiencies varied between 0 and 70% for N, 0 and 15% for P, and 0 to 52% for K. Resource conversion efficiencies were less variable across fields and localities, with average values of 97 kg DM kg^?1 N, 558 kg DM kg^?1 P and 111 kg DM kg^?1 K taken up. Using measured soil chemical properties QUEFTS over-estimated observed yields under F-M, indicating that variable crop performance within and across farms cannot be ascribed solely to soil nutrient availability. For the R-M plots QUEFTS predicted positive crop responses to application of 30 kg P ha^?1 and 30 kg P ha^?1 + 90 kg N ha^?1 for a wide range of soil qualities, indicating that there is room to improve current crop productivity through fertiliser use. To ensure their efficient use in sub-Saharan Africa mineral fertilisers should be: (1) targeted to specific niches of soil fertility within heterogeneous farms; and (2) go hand-in-hand with the implementation of agronomic measures to improve their capture and utilisation.     

Nutrient availability and maize growth in a soil amended with earthworm casts from a South African indigenous species

The study was undertaken to assess the availability to maize of nutrients from earthworm casts (wormcasts) collected from a grazing paddock in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Maize (cv PAN 473) was grown in pots filled with ground wormcasts, non-casted surrounding soil and a mixture of the two media. Fertiliser application increased growth and uptake of nutrients by maize grown on both wormcast and non-casted soil. Maize grown on wormcasts had significantly (p < 0.05) higher plant height, stem diameter, dry weight and showed higher nutrient uptake and lower fertiliser response than that grown on corresponding non-casted surface soil. The uptakes of plant nutrients, growth and dry matter yields were in the order fertiliser>wormcasts>non-casted soil. Mixing worm casts with non-casted soil improved maize growth and nutrient uptake over non-casted soil. It is concluded that wormcasts could be used as a soil amendment for crop production, especially in small-scale production systems.     

Alleu cropping sequentially cropped maize and cowpea with Leucaena on a sandy soil in Southern Nigeria

Summary The potential of alley cropping maize and cowpea with the giant Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) de Wit) cultivar K-28 was studied on an Entisol (Psammentic Ustorthent) in Southern Nigeria. In this trial the crops were grown in 4 m wide alleys formed by periodically pruned leucaena hedgerows. The effect of application of leucaena prunings, nitrogen fertilizer and tillage was studied.Despite the very intensive pruning regime (five prunings/year) for a six-year period, the leucaena hedgerows continue to produce substantial amounts of prunings, nitrogen yield and stakes. Application of nitrogen to the maize crop increased dry matter and nitrogen yield from the leucaena prunings. Although high nitrogen yield was obtained from the prunings, the application of low nitrogen rates was still needed for obtaining a high maize yield. Maize grain yield can be sustained at about 2.0 t/ha with continuous application of leucacna prunings only. Without application of leucaena prunings and nitrogen maize yield continued to decline with subsequent croppings. Cowpea grain yield was not affected either by leucaena prunings or by residual nitrogen. Tillage (rototilling) resulted in either higher or the same maize and cowpea yields as compared with no-tillage.Application of leucaena prunings resulted in higher soil moisture retention, organic matter, exchangeable K, Ca, Mg, and also nitrate levels in the soil solution. Leucaena and maize appear to extract soil moisture from different zones in the soil. Timely pruning of hedgerows is necessary to minimize shading.     

Effect of tillage,subsidiary crops and fertilisation on plant‐parasitic nematodes in a range of agro‐environmental conditions within Europe

The overall goal in nematode management is to develop sustainable systems where nematode populations are kept under the economic damage threshold. Conservation tillage and subsidiary crops, applied as cover crops and living mulches, generally improve soil health by increasing soil organic matter content and stimulating soil microbial activity. However, more permanent crop and weed cover associated with subsidiary crops and noninversion tillage, respectively, may benefit plant‐parasitic nematodes with broad host spectra such as Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus. These genera are major constraints to many field crops throughout Europe and there is a need to identify effective and reliable management options that can be applied to avoid excessive infestations. The dynamics of the indigenous fauna of plant‐parasitic nematodes were studied in eight coordinated multi‐environment field experiments (MEEs) under four agro‐environmental conditions in Europe (Continental, Nemoral, Atlantic North and Mediterranean North). The MEEs consisted of a 2‐year sequence of wheat combined with a living mulch or subsequent cover crops and second main crops maize, potatoes or tomatoes depending on site. Additionally, the effects of inversion tillage using the plough were compared with various forms of conservation tillage (no‐tillage, shallow and deep noninversion tillage). Overall, Helicotylenchus, Paratylenchus, Pratylenchus and Tylenchorhynchus were the most frequent genera across sites while Meloidogyne occurred only in Germany at very low densities. During the wheat–maize sequences in Switzerland, the populations of Pratylenchus increased from 63 to 146 nematodes per 100 mL soil and Helicotylenchus from 233 to 632 nematodes per 100 mL soil. The effects of tillage on plant‐parasitic nematodes were generally minor, although no tillage in Italy supported higher densities of Pratylenchus (184 nematodes per 100 mL soil) than inversion tillage (59 nematodes per 100 mL soil). Furthermore, Pratylenchus densities were 160 nematodes per 100 mL soil when leguminous subsidiary crops were grown, 122 nematodes per 100 mL soil in the green fallow and 84 nematodes per 100 mL soil after growing black oat (Avena strigosa) or oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus). The differences were greatest in Italy, in a sandy soil with low organic matter. Application of compost or nitrogen fertiliser had no consistent effects on plant‐parasitic nematodes. We conclude that crop rotations including specific subsidiary crops are prominent factors affecting the indigenous nematode community, while tillage and fertiliser are of lower importance.     

The effect of limestone application on the availability and form of phosphorus in Davidson clay loam

Summary The effect of limestone application on the P supplying power of Davidson clay loam, a soil high in free iron, was investigated by laboratory and greenhouse procedures. The soil under study did not receive fertilization for a 17-year period prior to the investigation. Application of dolomitic limestone to the soil increased both yield and P uptake of 3 successive cuttings of alfalfa. A comparison of inorganic P fractions in the soil before and after growth of each alfalfa crop showed that mineralized organic P and Ca-P supplied P to the first cutting of alfalfa and that Fe-P supplied P to the second and third cuttings. Application of limestone increased the availability of the Fe-P fraction to the second and third crops of alfalfa. The P availability of the inorganic P fractions was explained on the basis of chemical properties of the soil.     

不同还田方式对砂质潮土理化性质及微生物的影响

为探索不同物料还田方式对中低产田砂质潮土的改良效果,在黄淮海平原麦玉轮作区典型砂质潮土上进行了连续6季的田间小区试验,设置全量秸秆翻耕还田(TS),秸秆等碳量的生物炭(TB)及半量秸秆半量生物炭配合翻耕还田(TSB),全量秸秆免耕覆盖还田(NTS)和半量秸秆半量生物炭配合免耕覆盖还田(NTSB),共5种还田方式。结果表明,与常规秸秆翻耕还田(TS)相比,生物炭翻耕还田(TB)显著降低土壤容重,增加玉米各个生育期土壤水分和p H值,有机质含量提升了16.4%,但TB处理的土壤大团聚体降低了21.2%和微生物数量降低了16.1%;翻耕秸秆配合生物炭还田(TSB)除了显著降低了大团聚体数量,对其余理化及微生物指标的影响均不显著;免耕模式下的秸秆还田(NTS)和秸秆生物炭配施(NTSB)分别在玉米生长的喇叭口期和收获期显著增加了土壤水分含量、耕层土壤的微生物数量和有效降低砂质潮土分形维数,对容重和有机质含量有一定的改善,其中NTSB有机质含量提升了14.9%和微生物数量增加了53.7%,对砂质潮土改良效果更好。总体来说,短期内用等碳量的生物炭替代秸秆翻耕还田更多的表现为物理的掺混效应,虽能有效提升土壤有机质含量,但不能有效改善砂质潮土的物理结构及生物性质,一半秸秆用生物炭替代还田对该类土壤的理化及微生物指标的改良效果也不显著,而免耕条件下秸秆配合生物碳还田效果最佳,可为砂质潮土的改良提供新的途径和理论依据。     

The Impact of Corn Residue Removal on Soil Aggregates and Particulate Organic Matter

Removal of corn (Zea mays L.) stover as a biofuel feedstock is being considered. It is important to understand the implications of this practice when establishing removal guidelines to ensure the long-term sustainability of both the biofuel industry and soil health. Aboveground and belowground plant residues are the soil’s main sources of organic materials that bind soil particles together into aggregates and increase soil carbon (C) storage. Serving to stabilize soil particles, soil organic matter (SOM) assists in supplying plant available nutrients, increases water holding capacity, and helps reduce soil erosion. Data obtained from three Corn Stover Regional Partnership sites (Brookings, SD; Morris, MN; and Ithaca, NE) were utilized to evaluate the impact of removing corn stover on soil physical properties, including dry aggregate size distribution (DASD), erodible fraction (EF), and SOM components. Each site consisted of a combination of three residue removal rates (low—removal of grain only, intermediate—approximately 50 % residue removal, and high—maximum amount of residue removal). Results showed that the distribution of soil aggregates was less favorable for all three locations when residue was removed without the addition of other sources of organic matter such as cover crops. Additionally, we found that when residue was removed and the soil surface was less protected, there was an increase in the EF at all three research sites. There was a reduction in the EF for both the Brookings, SD, and Ithaca, NE sites when cover crops were incorporated or additional nitrogen (N) was added to the system. Amounts of SOM, fine particulate organic matter (fPOM), and total particulate organic matter (tPOM) consistently decreased as greater amounts of residue were removed from the soil surface. Across these three locations, the removal of crop residue from the soil surface had a negative impact on measured soil physical properties. The addition of a cover crop or additional N helped reduce this impact as measured through aggregate size distribution and EF and SOM components.     

Effect of cropping systems on soil chemical characteristics,with emphasis on soil acidification*

The soil under intensive cultivation and low addition of crop residues is exposed to erosion and reduction of organic matter. Increases in soil organic matter, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and nutrient availability may occur in no-till systems with legumes and with large additions of organic residues. Nevertheless, some legumes may increase soil acidification through the carbon and nitrogen cycles. An experiment was carried out over 10 years, with 10 cropping systems on a Dark Red Podzolic soil (Paleudult) to evaluate the effect of no-till cropping systems on soil chemical characteristics. Legume cropping systems resulted in the greatest soil organic C gain and the highest ECEC to a depth of 17.5 cm. The increase was greatest at 0 - 2.5 cm layer. Clover systems resulted in the highest soil acidification at 2.5 - 7.5 and 7.5 - 17.5 cm depths. The rate of soil pH decrease at 2.5 - 7.5 cm depth under clover+ t Spergula/maize system was 0.1 unit year^-1. Differences in soil acidification affected soil ECEC. Soil exchangeable cation data indicate that nitrate leaching increased soil acidification. Maize yields were greatest in legume systems due to increased N supply.     

Soil Organic Matter and Management of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes

Organic matter and its replenishment has become a major component of soil health management programs. Many of the soil''s physical, chemical, and biological properties are a function of organic matter content and quality. Adding organic matter to soil influences diverse and important biological activities. The diversity and number of free-living and plant-parasitic nematodes are altered by rotational crops, cover crops, green manures, and other sources of organic matter. Soil management programs should include the use of the proper organic materials to improve soil chemical, physical, and biological parameters and to suppress plant-parasitic nematodes and soilborne pathogens. It is critical to monitor the effects of organic matter additions on activities of major and minor plant-parasitic nematodes in the production system. This paper presents a general review of information in the literature on the effects of crop rotation, cover crops, and green manures on nematodes and their damage to economic crops.     

Effect of long‐term mineral fertilisation on soil microbial abundance,community structure and diversity in a Typic Hapludoll under intensive farming systems

Fertiliser application can not only influence plant communities, but also the soil microbial community dynamics, and consequently soil quality. Specifically, mineral fertilisation can directly or indirectly affect soil chemical properties, microbial abundance and, the structure and diversity of soil microbial communities. We investigated the impact of six different mineral fertiliser regimes in a maize/soybean rotation system: control (CK, without fertilisation), PS (application of phosphorus plus sulphur), NS (application of nitrogen plus S), NP (application of N plus P), NPS (application of N, P plus S) and NPSm (application of N, P, S plus micronutrients). Soil samples were collected at the physiological maturity stage of maize and soybean in March of 2013 and 2014, respectively. Overall, mineral fertilisation resulted in significantly decreased soil pH and increased total organic carbon compared with the control (CK). The analysis of terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) revealed that mineral fertilisers caused a shift in the composition of both bacterial and fungal communities. In 2013, the highest value of Shannon diversity of bacterial terminal restriction fragments (TRFs) was found in control soils. In 2014, NPSm treated soils showed the lowest values of diversity for both bacterial and fungal TRFs. In both crop growing seasons, the analysis of phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) detected the lowest value of total microbial biomass under CK. As PLFA analysis can be used to evaluate total microbial community, this result suggests that fertilisation increased total microbial biomass. When the bacterial and fungal abundance were examined using real time polymerase chain reaction, the results revealed that mineral fertilisation led to decreased bacterial abundance (16S rRNA), while fungal abundance (18S rRNA) was found to be increased in both crop growing seasons. Our results show that mineral fertiliser application has a significant impact on soil properties, bacterial and fungal abundance and microbial diversity. However, further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms involved in the changes to microbial communities as a consequence of mineral fertilisation.     

Field assessment of soil biological and chemical quality in response to crop management practices

Soil microbiological and chemical aspects were evaluated to determine the effects of conservation tillage and crop rotation on soil fertility over a 16-year period. A field trial was established to compare two cropping systems (continuous soybean and maize/soybean, soybean/maize rotation). In addition, maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L., Merr) were grown in two different tillage systems: no tillage and reduced tillage. Soil populations of Trichoderma spp., Gliocladium spp. and total fungi were more abundant when maize or soybean were under conservation tillage and in the maize/soybean and soybean/maize rotation, than in continuous soybean. Furthermore, higher levels of microbial respiration and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis (FDA), were recorded under no tillage systems. However, soil counts of Actinomycetes and Pythium spp., and Pythium diversity together with soil microbial biomass were not affected by the field treatments. To establish a correlation with soil biological factors, soil chemical parameters, such as pH, organic matter content, total N, electrical conductivity, N–NO₃ ⁻ and P were also quantified, most of the correlations being significantly positive. Under no tillage there was a clear increase of the amount of crop residues and the C and N soil content due to the presence of residues. Also the distribution of crop residues in surface soil due to zero tillage and the quality of these residues, depending on the crop rotation employed, improved on soil biological and chemical characteristics. Crop yield was also enhanced by zero tillage through the management of residues. Although yield values were not directly associated with the development of microorganisms, both yield and microorganisms were influenced by crop management. These results suggest that measuring soil properties over a long period helps to define effective management strategies in order to preserve soil conditions.     

The relationship between silicon availability,and growth and silicon concentration of the salt marsh halophyte Spartina anglica

Incorporation of cover crops into cropping systems may contribute to a more efficient utilization of soil and fertilizer P by less P-efficient crops through exudation of P-mobilizing compounds by the roots of P-efficient plant species. The main objective of the present work was to test this hypothesis. First a method has been developed which allows the quantification of organic anion exudation from individual cluster roots formed by P-deficient white lupin (Lupinus albus L.). Lupin plants were grown in nutrient solution at 1 μM P and in a low P loess in small rhizotrons. Organic anions exuded from intact plants grown in nutrient solution were collected from individual cluster roots and root tips sealed in small compartments by an anion-exchange resin placed in nylon bags (resin-bags). Succinate was the dominant organic anion exuded followed by citrate and malate. The mean of citrate exudation-rate was 0.06 pmol mm⁻¹ s⁻¹ with exudation highly dependent on the citrate concentration and on the age of the cluster roots. Exudates from cluster roots and root tips grown at the soil surface (rhizotron-grown plants) were collected using overlayered resin–agar (resin mixed with agar). Citrate exudation from cluster roots was 10 times higher than that from root tips. Fractionation of P in the cluster root rhizosphere-soil indicates that white lupin can mobilize P not only from the available and acid-soluble P, but also from the stable residual soil P fractions. In pot experiments with an acid luvisol derived from loess low in available P, growth of wheat was significantly improved when mixed-cropped with white lupin due to improved P uptake. Both in mixed culture and in rotation wheat could benefit from the P mobilization capacity of white lupin, supporting the hypothesis above. Nine tropical leguminous cover crops and maize were grown in a pot experiment using a luvisol from Northern Nigeria low in available P. All plant species derived most of their P from the resin and bicarbonate-extractable inorganic P. Organic P (P_o) accumulated particularly in the rhizosphere of all plant species. There was a significant negative correlation between the species-specific rhizosphere acid phosphatase activity and P_o accumulation. Growth and P uptake of maize grown in rotation after legumes were enhanced indicating that improved P nutrition was a contributing factor. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Assessing long-term impacts of cover crops on soil organic carbon in the central US Midwestern agroecosystems

Cover crops have been reported as one of the most effective practices to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) for agroecosystems. Impacts of cover crops on SOC change vary depending on soil properties, climate, and management practices, but it remains unclear how these control factors affect SOC benefits from cover crops, as well as which management practices can maximize SOC benefits. To address these questions, we used an advanced process-based agroecosystem model, ecosys, to assess the impacts of winter cover cropping on SOC accumulation under different environmental and management conditions. We aimed to answer the following questions: (1) To what extent do cover crops benefit SOC accumulation, and how do SOC benefits from cover crops vary with different factors (i.e., initial soil properties, cover crop types, climate during the cover crop growth period, and cover crop planting and terminating time)? (2) How can we enhance SOC benefits from cover crops under different cover crop management options? Specifically, we first calibrated and validated the ecosys model at two long-term field experiment sites with SOC measurements in Illinois. We then applied the ecosys model to six cover crop field experiment sites spanning across Illinois to assess the impacts of different factors on SOC accumulation. Our modeling results revealed the following findings: (1) Growing cover crops can bring SOC benefits by 0.33 ± 0.06 MgC ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in six cover crop field experiment sites across Illinois, and the SOC benefits are species specific to legume and non-legume cover crops. (2) Initial SOC stocks and clay contents had overall small influences on SOC benefits from cover crops. During the cover crop growth period (i.e., winter and spring in the US Midwest), high temperature increased SOC benefits from cover crops, while the impacts from larger precipitation on SOC benefits varied field by field. (3) The SOC benefits from cover crops can be maximized by optimizing cover crop management practices (e.g., selecting cover crop types and controlling cover crop growth period) for the US Midwestern maize–soybean rotation system. Finally, we discussed the economic and policy implications of adopting cover crops in the US Midwest, including that current economic incentives to grow cover crops may not be sufficient to cover costs. This study systematically assessed cover crop impacts for SOC change in the US Midwest context, while also demonstrating that the ecosys model, with rigorous validation using field experiment data, can be an effective tool to guide the adaptive management of cover crops and quantify SOC benefits from cover crops. The study thus provides practical tools and insights for practitioners and policy-makers to design cover crop related government agricultural policies and incentive programs for farmers and agri-food related industries.     

长期施肥对黄土旱塬农田土壤有机磷组分及小麦产量的影响

研究长期施肥对黄土旱塬农田土壤有机磷组分及小麦产量的影响,可为提高磷素转化利用率及合理利用肥料提供理论支持。本研究依托长武旱塬农田生态系统长期(1984—2016年)定位试验站,选取不施肥(CK)、单施氮肥(N)、单施磷肥(P)、施氮磷肥(NP)、单施有机肥(M)、氮肥配施有机肥(MN)、磷肥配施有机肥(MP)、氮磷肥配施有机肥(MNP)8个处理,研究其对土壤有机磷组分、小麦产量和土壤性质的影响。结果表明: 长期施肥后土壤有机磷含量为244.7～429.1 mg·kg^-1,除N处理外,其余各处理有机磷含量比CK均显著增加了15.4%～47.9%。长期施用磷肥改变了黄土旱塬农田表层土壤(0～20 cm)各有机磷组分含量,MP、MNP处理显著提高了活性有机磷及中活性有机磷含量;N、P和NP处理显著降低了中稳性有机磷含量;N、P、NP、MN、MP、MNP处理均显著提高了高稳性有机磷含量。各处理土壤有机磷组分与总有机磷含量比值为:中活性有机磷>高稳性有机磷>活性有机磷>中稳性有机磷。长期施肥后,与CK相比,氮、磷肥配施,尤其是与有机肥配施,显著增加了小麦生物产量和籽粒产量。土壤指标中,有机质、速效磷和无机磷与小麦产量呈显著正相关。MP、M处理可以显著提高黄土旱塬黑垆土中的速效磷、总磷、总无机磷、活性有机磷和中活性有机磷含量,表明有机肥与磷肥配施可以提高该地区更容易被作物吸收的磷组分。总之,氮磷肥配施并配施有机肥可以提高该地区磷供给,对小麦增产有促进作用,对提高黄土旱塬地区土壤质量有重要意义。     

Effect of five tree crops and a cover crop in multi-strata agroforestry at two fertilization levels on soil fertility and soil solution chemistry in central Amazonia

The spatio-temporal patterns of soil fertility and soil solution chemistry in a multi-strata agroforestry system with perennial crops were analysed as indicators for the effects of crop species and management measures on soil conditions under permanent agriculture in central Amazonia. The study was carried out in a plantation with locally important tree crop species and a leguminous cover crop at two fertilization levels on a xanthic Ferralsol. Soil fertility to 2 m soil depth was evaluated 3.5 years after the establishment of the plantation, and soil solution chemistry at 10, 60 and 200 cm soil depth was monitored over 2 years. Several soil fertility characteristics exhibited spatial patterns within the multi-strata plots which reflected the differing properties of the plant species and their management, including the fertilizer input. Significant differences between species could be detected to 150 cm depth, and between fertilization treatments to 200 cm depth. Favourable effects on nutrient availability in the soil were found for annatto (Bixa orellana) (P, K) and cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) (Ca, Mg) in comparison with peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) and Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa). Nutrient concentrations of the soil solution showed pronounced fluctuations in the topsoil, corresponding to fertilizer applications. Large nutrient concentrations in the soil solution were accompanied by increased concentrations of aluminium and low pH values, caused by exchange reactions between fertilizer and sorbed acidity and reinforced by the acidifying effect of nitrification. The soil solution under the leguminous cover crop Pueraria phaseoloides had relatively large N concentrations during periods when those under the tree crops were small, and this could partly explain why no yield responses to N fertilization were observed at this site.     

生物炭提高土壤磷素有效性的整合分析

生物炭改善土壤肥力和提高作物产量的作用与土壤磷素有效性的提高密切相关,但是关于生物炭添加对土壤磷素有效性影响的定量效应尚不明确。本研究对95篇符合条件的文献中的507组数据进行整合分析,以评估生物炭添加对土壤磷素有效性的定量影响。结果表明: 不论生物炭原料、制备温度、C/N、施用量、配施化肥与否,以及土壤质地、pH、有机碳含量如何变化,生物炭添加均使土壤有效磷含量显著提高,平均较不添加对照提高57.6%。同时,生物炭添加促进了作物对磷的利用,但植株含磷量对不同添加条件下生物炭的响应程度基本上均低于土壤有效磷,部分条件下未达到显著水平,平均响应比为30.6%。在砂质和壤质土壤中,添加拥有较多灰分的畜禽粪便生物炭,以及较低C/N、低温裂解的碱性生物炭、较大施用量对增加土壤有效磷和植株磷含量更有效。作为土壤磷素循环的主要酶,生物炭添加使碱性磷酸酶活性平均增加2.8%,而酸性磷酸酶活性则平均降低17.8%。总体上,生物炭对土壤有效磷和植株磷含量有显著的正向效应,但对土壤磷酸酶活性的影响较小,磷素有效性的提高可能主要源于生物炭自身携带较高含量的有效磷组分。     

采伐剩余物的处理方式对杉木幼林土壤磷组分及其有效性的影响

森林采伐剩余物的不同处理方式改变了输入土壤的有机质数量和质量,从而影响森林土壤的养分含量和有效性.而磷(P)作为影响植物生长的关键因子,其含量及有效性对森林采伐剩余物不同处理方式的响应尚不明确.本研究对福建省三明市格氏栲自然保护区杉木成熟林采伐后产生的采伐剩余物进行保留、清除、火烧处理,4年后,对不同处理0～10及10～20 cm土层土壤中各组分P的变化及影响因子进行了研究.结果表明:0～10 cm土层保留处理极有效P、中等有效P、非有效P含量显著高于清除处理,而在10～20 cm土层保留处理中,中等有效P、非有效P含量显著高于火烧处理.各处理不同土层土壤有机碳与有机磷的比值(C∶Po)>200,并且保留处理在不同土层C∶Po均显著小于清除、火烧处理,表明保留处理可以缓解本地区P限制.冗余分析表明,土壤可溶性有机碳、游离型铁、无定形铁是影响土壤P组分的重要因素.土壤有机P和有效P主要来源于植物残体的降解,保留采伐剩余物可以增加土壤P含量,还可以提高土壤P的有效性,缓解地区P限制,为植被生长提供持续的P供应.     

Winter wheat roots grow twice as deep as spring wheat roots, is this important for N uptake and N leaching losses?

Nitrogen (N)-deficiency and lack of phosphorus (P) availability are major constraints to maize yields in Western Kenya. In a two-season field study in the lake Victoria basin, we tested the capacity of white lupin (Lupinus albus (L.), cv. Ultra), as a nitrogen-fixing crop with a highly efficient P-acquisition capacity, to increase maize yields when used as a companion or cover crop, or as a source of organic matter. Each experiment was performed on three different fields (Vertisols) differing in N/P availability, previous cropping history and in levels of infestation by the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. Our results show that white lupin led to significantly higher yields of maize when used as a cover crop. When lupin was grown as a companion crop, it also slightly enhanced the yield of the co-cultivated maize. When lupin shoots were incorporated to the soil, the positive effect of lupin on maize growth was field-dependent and only occurred in the field most heavily infested with S. hermonthica. Despite the beneficial impact on maize yield, no clear effect of lupin on soil N and P availability or on maize N/P uptake were observed. In contrast, lupin significantly inhibited infestation of maize by S. hermonthica: when lupin was grown together with maize in pots inoculated with S. hermonthica, the emergence of the weed was strongly reduced compared to the pots with maize only. This work opens a new range of questions for further research on white lupin and its potential beneficial impact as a S. hermonthica-inhibiting crop.     

Effects of first‐ and second‐generation bioenergy crops on soil processes and legacy effects on a subsequent crop

To develop a more sustainable bio‐based economy, an increasing amount of carbon for industrial applications and biofuel will be obtained from bioenergy crops. This may result in intensified land use and potential conflicts with other ecosystem services provided by soil, such as control of greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration, and nutrient dynamics. A growing number of studies examine how bioenergy crops influence carbon and nitrogen cycling. Few studies, however, have combined such assessments with analysing both the immediate effects on the provisioning of soil ecosystem services as well as the legacy effects for subsequent crops in the rotation. Here, we present results from field and laboratory experiments on effects of a standard first‐generation bioenergy crop (maize) and three different second‐generation bioenergy crops (willow short rotation coppice (SRC), Miscanthus × giganteus, switchgrass) on key soil quality parameters: soil structure, organic matter, biodiversity and growth and disease susceptibility of a major follow‐up crop, wheat (Triticum aestivum). We analysed a 6‐year field experiment and show that willow SRC, Miscanthus, and maize maintained a high yield over this period. Soil quality parameters and legacy effects of Miscanthus and switchgrass were similar or performed worse than maize. In contrast, willow SRC enhanced soil organic carbon concentration (0–5 cm), soil fertility, and soil biodiversity in the upper soil layer when compared to maize. In a greenhouse experiment, wheat grown in willow soil had higher biomass production than when grown in maize or Miscanthus soil and exhibited no growth reduction in response to introduction of a soil‐borne (Rhizoctonia solani) or a leaf pathogen (Mycosphaerella graminicola). We conclude that the choice of bioenergy crops can greatly influence provisioning of soil ecosystem services and legacy effects in soil. Our results imply that bioenergy crops with specific traits might even enhance ecosystem properties through positive legacy effects.